A number of Lancasters were converted for peacetime use after 1945 but they were gradually withdrawn from service. It is believed the last time two or more flew together was in 1964.

The BBMF will host the Canadian Lancaster, officially the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster, in honour of Canadian VC recipient Andrew Mynarski, for more than a month.

Heavy casualties

Chris Freeman, chair of Canadian Warplane Heritage, said: "The Lancaster is one of those iconic aircraft. If you are a fighter buff then it is the Spitfire but if it's a bomber, then it is almost certainly the Lancaster.

"It wasn't the only bomber but it earned a place in our hearts, perhaps because some of the feats it performed like the Dambusters and the sinking of the Tirpitz."

Squadron Leader Duncan Mason, Officer Commanding of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, said: "As a symbol of aviation the Lancaster bomber epitomises all that is great to be British.

"It really does stand above any other aeroplane as something that stands for all those airmen that were lost all those years ago."

A total of 55,573 airmen of Bomber Command died in World War Two. Their average age was 22.